thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Saab Australia Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Deepen Naval Collaboration

28 Mei 2025

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Saab Australia sign a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation on the MEKO A-200 frigate program (photo: TKMS)

Sydney, Australia – thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saab Australia, marking a significant step in their ongoing cooperation. The agreement aims to explore opportunities for collaboration on the MEKO A-200 frigate platform, with a focus on enhancing naval capabilities through joint innovation and integration.

The MoU was formalized at the Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sydney in the presence of Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, Director-General for Armaments in the German Federal Ministry of Defense, who emphasized the strategic value of such partnerships. “Collaborations like this one show how international industry partnerships can strengthen national defence capabilities,” Stawitzki noted.

This partnership builds on a longlasting working relationship between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Saab Australia, and reinforces both companies’ commitment to providing sovereign industrial capability in naval defence.

Meko A-210 frigate for SEA 3000 (photo: NavalNews)

This collaboration will leverage Saab’s Australian Combat System (AusCMS) already in service across the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet. The AusCMS provides enterpriselevel interoperability, training, substainment, and operational benefits, contributing to the sovereign capability of Australia’s defense industry.

This initiative aligns with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ proven business model, which supports partner nations in building, maintaining, and upgrading naval vessels domestically. Having previously delivered the ANZAC frigates to the Royal Australian Navy and supported similar projects across 16 navies – including six NATO members – thyssenkrupp Marine Systems continues to demonstrate its commitment to sovereign shipbuilding partnerships.

“This MoU with Saab Australia reflects our proven approach to naval shipbuilding and longterm collaboration with trusted partners,” said Dr. Oliver Juckenhöfel, Executive Vice President of Operating Unit Surface Vessels at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “We are proud to contribute to a robust and sovereign naval capability through a model that has proven successful across multiple navies,” he added.

The MoU with Saab Australia highlights both companies’ shared strategic vision for delivering mature, low-risk, and proven solutions to meet future naval requirements, including those of the SEA 3000 program.

(TKMS)